Brightside offers telephonic and in office sessions

We take insurances such as Independent Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Fidelis, Univera, Aetna, Cigna Humana, United Health Care, Medicare, Tricare, and other insurances. We also participate with many employee assistance programs (EAPs) to provide counseling sessions. You don't have to go through this alone. 

Mission

"To help you to be the best you can be" by:

• Reaching healthy emotional, spiritual and physical balance
• Finding solutions/alternate strategies to cope with life stressors

Counseling Services are available to help de-stress, lower anxiety and treat depressive symptoms. Your satisfaction with Brightside Counseling Services is important to us. If your insurance deductibles are so high you are not able to follow up with counseling, talk with our staff about possible alternatives. Serving Genesee, Erie, and Niagara Counties.

About our team of providers

Charmaine Fanara

Charmaine Fanara, owner, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, (LCSW-R),MDIV, MPA who has provided counseling for 30 years in a variety of counseling settings. She treats those age 18 years old and older. She treats those with PTSD, depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, Adult ADHD, grief loss and personality disorders. She also helps those in life transitions and with eldercare issues. Charmaine accepts Fidelis insurance, IHA, Univera, BC/BS, Cigna, Aetna, Excellus, Value Options, Emblem Health, Tricare, NYS Empire plan, and other insurances, plus Employee Assistance Benefits.

She has three Master's Degrees including a Master's in Social Work, graduate of SUNY Buffalo, a Master's in Divinity graduate of Northeastern Seminary, and a Master's in Public Administration graduate of SUNY Brockport. 

Charmaine is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Paul Pasternak

Paul Pasternak, LMHC is an independent contractor with over 20 yrs. experience. He provides counseling for children ages 12+, teens, parents, individuals, couples and family concerns. He has a special interest in dealing with boys and men’s issues. He also provides counseling for anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions and adjustment concerns. Currently Paul accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care, United Behavioral Health, Optum, Cigna and Cigna Employee Assistance and is awaiting approval for other insurance panels.